The 2012 East Regional Closed took place on the weekend of 8-9 September at Hunts County and Cambridge Squash Clubs. Over 110 juniors took part in a frantic, enthralling weekend of squash.
All 6 counties were represented across the 5 age groups. Suffolk, Essex and Hertfordshire shared most of the spoils as over 160 matches were played to determine the East Regional Champion.
The event was split over two venues with a variety of formats used. Cambridge Squash Club hosted the Boys U11s and 13s along with the Girls U11s, 13s and 19s.
This year the U11s were decided over ‘Best of 3’. The Girls U11s competition was run as two Round Robins with a playoff. Cambridgeshire’s Darcie Mounter triumphed over Suffolk’s Emma Bartley 2-0 in the 1st Place Playoff.
The Boys U11s was run as a Monrad system, with each boy playing to a finish. The overall winner was Essex’s Timothy Bacon who defeated his club teammate Joel Braddock 2-0 in the Final. This concludes a fine year for Tim as he has won multiple Bronze Events in the run up to the Regional Closed.
The Girls U13s was a traditional knockout competition. Amber Marshall from Hertfordshire defeated Norfolk’s Katie Cox 3-0 in a final that was tighter than the score line suggested. Essex’s Alice Green won the Plate, defeating Hertfordshire’s Chloe Spratt 3-0.
The Boys U13s was also run as a Monrad and went to seeding with the No.1, Suffolk’s Billy Beecroft, defeating surprise finalist, Cambridgeshire’s Tommy Albright, 3-0 in another deceptively close game.
The tournament at Cambridge Squash Club was rounded off with the Girls U19 Round Robin. Essex’s Anna Kimberley, the Girls U19 No.11, defeated all comers to claim the title. Hertfordshire’s Brogan Lane finished as runner up.
Hunts County Squash Club hosted the Girls U15s and 17s along with the Boys U15s, 17s and 19s.
Essex’s Elise Lazarus, a stalwart of the Girls U13 England squad, defeated fellow England player Grace Gear 3-0 in the Girls U15 knockout Final. Essex’s Collette Whittington won the Plate, defeating Cambridgeshire’s Emily Fuller, also 3-0.
The Boys U15s was a traditional knockout. Hertfordshire’s Laurence Green defeated Suffolk’s Ben Turmel 3-0 in the Final. Essex’s Ben Richardson claimed the Plate with victory over Suffolk’s George Stammers 3-2 in a gripping Final.
Hertfordshire’s Hannah Daly won the Girls U17 Round Robin, going undefeated over the weekend. Cambridgeshire’s Tayla Mounter finished as the runner up.
Suffolk’s Josh Turmel won the Boys U17 knockout, defeating Essex’s Jagpal Sehmbi 3-1 in a thrilling Final. Hertfordshire’s Tim Richards defeated his county compatriot, Isaac Freckleton 3-0 in the Plate Final.
In the match of the weekend, Hertfordshire teammates Harry Faulkner and Joseph Green contested a gruelling 3-1 Boys U19 Final of the Monrad. Eventually Harry prevailed, to the delight of the crowd.
Mark Williams, ESR East Region Manager, said: “It was again great to see so many young players taking part in the Regional Closed. We really appreciate the support that the event has received from players, parents and coaches alike and hope that the Regional Closed is just the start of a fantastic season for all involved”.
The East Region Office would like to thank Cambridge Squash Club and Hunts County Squash Club for hosting the event. It would not have been possible without volunteers from both clubs generously donating their time.
A big thank you must also go out to the two ESR referees, Peter Blackmore and George Kyriacos who graciously provided their time and expertise for the weekend.
The full results are available at the following link: http://www.englandsquashandracketball.com/clubs/in-your-region/east
In the photos:
Photo 1 – Hunts County Squash Club [Left to Right]: Hannah Daly, Adam Fuller (Lead Regional Coach), Tayla Mounter, Grace Gear, Elise Lazarus, Laurence Green, Ben Turmel, Joseph Green, Japgal Sehmbi, Josh Turmel, Harry Faulkner, Tim Richards
Photo 2 – Cambridge Squash Club [Front Row Left to Right]: Tommy Albright, Katie Cox, Darcie Mounter, Emma Bartley, Joel Braddock
[Back Row Left to Right]; Billy Beecroft, Anna Kimberley, Bob Maison (Regional Coach), Amber Marshall, Brogan Lane
Photo 3 – U11 winner Timothy Bacon (L) and Joel Braddock with Bob Maison